Transfer system.



f/ 1. i@ w T Y, y w H LM.U H 9, E .n In D M T N W B T A P m w www. ETV. GSA NYM RSw PRu SEP. .PN NSO .mm WRm Tm P n y A A C f s A 6% v, ,Ex 0 8. a 0 n/ i PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905.

W. N. SPRINGER.

TRANSFER SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED Muzo. 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

T @fr .f w ll v s UNTTED sTATEs PATENT opriep.

WILLIAM N. SPRINGER, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AVERY MAN- UFAOTURING COMPANY, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, Av CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TRANSFER SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1905.

T0 L7/Z whom, t Hetty concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM N. SPRINGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in t--he county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Transfer Systems, of which 4the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating a carrying mechanism embodying `my improvements. Fig. 2 is a view, partly in horizontal section and partly in plan, showing some of the parts of said system. Fig. 3 shows one of the elements of which the trolley-track is constructed, it being illustrated in plan and in cross-section Fig. 4 shows one of the curved elements of the track. Fig. 5 shows in plan View one of the switches. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 7 is a central section.

A conveying mechanism embodying the improvements constituting the present invention comprises the overhead-trolley guide, which contains straight sections A, curved sections B, switches, as at O, vertically-swinging sections, as at D, and sections, as at E,

which can be raised and lowered bodily vertically. structure of the building, it having top beams F and low er beams or bars, as at G, the latter being carried by pendent rods H. These rods are preferably passed through the upper beams F and are at their lower ends connected to open rectangular brackets I, which are bolted to the beams G and have the pendent rods'H ad justably secured to them by means of nuts t. The nuts and brackets provide a vertical adjustment, so that the trolley-track can be readily leveled-that is to say, have its several sections put in such position relative to the horizontal and to each other as is desirable.

In order that the use of the invention may be understood, it can be stated that it is adapted for use in factories where large numbers of parts of machinery are handled which have to be painted. These articles are prepared some in one and some in another of a large number of rooms arranged over a wide area and upon several ioors. There is generally one compartment where the paint is to be applied and another where the articles are exposed for drying after they have been painted. It is necessary to gather them from the sev- This guide is supported by the main eral rooms aforesaid, where they are finished and prepared for the painting. The trolleyguide is arranged to extend through these several rooms, it having main lines and branches or loops, the latter being arranged to connect with the main lines, and by means of the curved sections and the switches the trolleycarriages can be taken to any part of the buildlng.

The guide or track is made in sections, which are of cast metal, and the Whole is built up of four or five parts. The straight sections for the straight track A have the top wall a, the side Walls a', and the inwardly-turned bottom flanges or lips a2, with the slot or open passageway a3 between them. These bottom flanges turn up somewhat, as shown at a, to prevent the escape of the trolley-wheels. All of these straight sections are formed from a single pattern. Each section is formed with base-pieces a4 and with apertures a, that receive the bolts a, which pass upward through the track and through the beam G above it.

The curved sections B are in cross-section substantially similar to the straight sections, but are curved laterally, as shown in Fig. 4. In the bottom there is a slot or passage-way a3, similar to that at a3 above described, and the curved sections can be placed with their ends registering with the ends of the straight sections, so that the track shall be continuous. Each section is formed with a base piece. All of the curved sections can be made from two patterns-one for those that turn to the right and the other for those that turn to the left.

Each switch-section C comprises two principal parts, one being indicated by O and the other by O2. That at O has a portion at c which is substantially similar in cross-section to that above described-that is to say, has the top wall a, the side wall a a, and the bottoni flanges a2 with the passage-way a3 between them. At one end of this part there are supporting-arms c5, which are integral with it and extend forward therefrom, they diverging considerably. At their front ends they are connected to a series of two or more short guides or track-sections, as at c c7 08,

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each of these in section being such as above i IOS angular space from the end of the part c to the short tracks o c7 cs. The top wall of the part C2 at one end terminates in a disk or circular plate 010, which rests upon the top of those ends of the bars or supporting-arms c5 that lie adjacent toa concave shoulder cu. At the other end the part C2 has curved extensions C3 C* and extending out laterally, these resting on the/bars c5 and adapted to slide thereon from one position'to another. It will be seen that this part C2 can slide curvilinearly on its support in such way as to bring the track part c into alinement with either of the track-sections or guide-sections c 07 08. To thus move it, use may be made of a mechanism such as shown. The projection C3 has an ear at cl2, provided with an aperture cl3.

C5 is a rock-shaft extending downward to a handle C7, which is in convenient reach from below. This rock-shaft has a crankarm on with a pin 015 in the aperture 013. The operator can by grasping the handle C7 and turning the shaft C5 throw the part C2 of the switch into any position desired. Itis locked by means of a notched bar C, the crankarm c14 being adapted to drop into either of the notches at om.

By means of the parts above referred toto wit, the straight track-sections at A, the curved sections at B, and the switches C-the trolley-guide system can be carried over vextended lines and built up with all of the loops, branches, and turn-outs that are requisite for one floor; but, as above remarked, the rooms in which the articles are prepared and from which they have to be collected are on different lioors, one above another.

Communication from iioor to ioor is had by means of an elevator, such as indicated by J. Sections of the trolley-track on the y different floors extend to the elevator-doorways. On the elevator is arranged the section E above referred to of the trolley-guide, which can be brought into alinement with the guide on either floor, and when so positioned the trolleys can be run onto it or transferred from it, as the case requires. This section E can be carried from one floor to another to receive or deliver a series of trolleys and the articles carried thereby. At K there is an automatically acting lock which closes the trolley-guideway and prevents any of the trolleys from escaping therefrom. This lock consists of a plate c, pivoted at s' and having a lever-arm 102. The plate tends to overbalance the lever and take its lowermost position, and when in such -position it lies across the trolley-track and prevents escape.

At the end of each of the stationary trolleytracks there is a corresponding lock L, having the vertically-swinging plate Z, pivoted at Z', and the lever Z2.

The vertically-swinging section of the trolley-track (indicated by D) comprises the guide proper Z and the beam or bar UZ', which supports it. This section is hinged at UZ2 at the end of the stationary part. It is automatically moved from its lower to its upper position and is held in the latter by a weight M. m is a cord or rope to which a weight M is attached, one end of the rope extending from the weight to the guide-sheaves m m2 and from the latter down to the swinging section D of the track. The other end of the rope extends over the top guide m3, thence down to guide m4, and thence to the guide-sheave n on a lever N. This lever is pivoted to the side of the elevator shaft or well, the pivot being at n.

At N there is an antifriction-roller on the lever, which is adapted to engage with a cam O, carried by the elevator. The Cam is of such character that whether the elevator is moving t up or down it will act to bring the swinging section D at each ioor into alinement with the bodily-movable section E.

Just as the vertically-movable section E and the swinging section D approach the position of alinement the locks K and L are automatically opened and the trolley passage-way is free. In the apparatus shown this is accomplished by means of tripping devices, such as lugs at Z3 and Z4, both carried by the swinging section D. That at Z3 is adapted to engage the lever-arm Z2 and that at Z4 engages the lever 7a2. Each of the locks is moved into its inactive position and remains there until the swingingsection D again starts upward, whereupon they are automatically closed again. The manner in which this part of the apparatus is used will be readily understood. The carrier or elevator is taken down or up to the ioor from which the loaded trolleys are to be brought to the painting-floor, and after the desired floor is reached and the swinging track-section B and the section E have been brought into alinement the trolleys are pushed from the tracks at A over the swinging track D and into the section E. Then they are moved vertically, with the carrier or elevator, to the painting-floor, the swinging track-section on said floor being at the same time brought automatically into alinement with the section E.

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The locks at K and L are opened also autoi matically,and thereupon the loaded trolleys can be taken oft from the elevator-track to that at A, and, on the other hand, after the articles have been properly treated and drained and dried they can be returned to the elevator and carried to any other floor as desired.

What Tclaim isi l. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination of horizontally arranged trolleytracks, as at A, one in one horizontal plane and another in another horizontal plane,` the swinging track-sections adapted to swing to and from the lines of the aforesaid track-sections respeetively, the bodily rising and falling track-section E, devices for moving the stantially as set forth.

3. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination of a series of stationary horizontallyarranged trolley-tracks, the locks or closing devices for the said tracks,the swinging tracksections respectively connected to the ends of the stationary sections and adapted to move the said locking or closing devices, substantially as set forth.

4f. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination of the trolley-track, the lock or closing device therefor, the vertically-movable track-section at the end of the stationary section and means interposed between the said lock or closing device and the movable tracksection, for actuating the lock or closing device, substantially as set forth.

5,. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination of a stationary frame, a stationary trolley-track supported on said frame, a movable track-section, a gravity device normally holding the movable section in inoperative position, a second vertically-movable track-section adapted to be brought into alinement with the aforesaid track-section and means actuated by the second said movable track-section for overcoming the effect of said gravity-acting devices, substantially as set forth.

6. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination with a main-track section and the branch-track sections adapted to be connected thereto, of the intermediate switch mechanism having a central track-section; a flaring frame extending forward from the track-section, and short track-sections carried at the wider end of said frame, and an intermediate swinging track-section adapted to aline at its pivoted end with the stationary track-section and to have its movable end alined with either of the short sections, substantially as set forth.

7. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination with the two separated main-track sections, of an interposed section having a guide part fixed in alinement with the two main sections, and a laterally-adjustable part hinged to the fixed section and adapted to be adjusted into and out of alinement with the main sections and to be locked after adjustment, substantially as set forth,

8. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination with the two main-track sections side by side, land a third main-track section separated from those aforesaid and adapted to be I brought into communication with the others, of an intermediate section having fixed guide parts secured in alinement with each of' the main-track sections respectively, and a laterally-adjustable part hinged to the fixed part and adapted to be adjusted to aline with either of those which are side by side, substantially as set forth.

9. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination with the two separated main-line track-sections and a branch-track section, of an. intermediate track-section having a fixed part, having guides fixed in alinement with the adjacent main and branch track sections respectively and a part hinged to the fixed part and adapted to be adjusted laterally to aline either with the main section or with the branch section, substantially as set forth.

10. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination with the separated main-track sections, andthe branch-track section having its terminal adjacent to theterminal of one of the main-line sections, and an intermediate connecting mechanism having a fixed tracksection alining with one of the main-track sections, and two short fixed sections respectively alining with the other main-track sections, and with the branch-track section, and a track-section hinged to the fixed intermediate section and adjustable laterally from one of said short track-sections to the other, substantially as set forth.

11. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination with the separated main-track sections and the branch-track section, of an intermediate connecting mechanism having a track-section and an expanding frame inte- IOO gral with each other, and a movable track- I section hinged'to the fixed part of the intermediate mechanism and formed with laterallyextending arms resting upon said expanded frame, substantially as set forth.

12. In an overhead-trolley system having main-line parts on each of several fioors in diferent horizontal planes, the combination of the trolley-track section E transferable bodily from one floor to another, the line-track sections A A fixed respectively on said different floors and movable track-sections D D on the different floors respectively and adapted to be brought into alinement with the fixed tracksections A and the said track-section E, substantially as set forth.

13. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination with the fixed track-sectionA and the vertically-movable track-section E, of a movable track-section D, and means interposed between the track-section E and the movable track section D for imparting movement thereto corresponding to the movement of the track-section E, substantially as set forth.

14. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination of a Ifixed track-section A, the movable track-section E, means for guiding the ISO trolleys from the track-section E to the tracksection A, and a lock for closing the guideway in the section A, substantially as set forth. 15. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination with astationary track-section A, the movable track-section, the lock for preventing escape from the track-section A, and means interposed between said lock and the movable section E whereby the lock is opened and closed in correspondence with the movement of said movable section, substantially as set forth.

16. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination with a vertically-movable track-section E and the track on a stationary support with which the section can aline, of a lock or closing device for the track-section E to prevent escape of the trolley therefrom, substantially as set forth.

17. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination with a stationary track-section and a vertically-movable track-section adapted to aline therewith, of -a closing device for the latter adapted to prevent the escape of the trolley therefrom and means for actuating said closing device as the said track-section comes into alinement with the said stationary section.

18. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination with a stationary track-section and a vertically-movable track-section adapted to aline therewith, of a movable section interposed between the aforesaid track-sections and adapted to establish communication between Athem when they are in alinement with each other, and the closing device for the vertically-movable section arranged to be operated by said intermediate section.

19. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination of a series `of stationary horizontallyarranged trolley-tracks in different horizontal planes, the swinging track-sections adapted to swing to and from the lines of the aforesaid track-sections respectively, a supplemental track-section movable bodily from one of said horizontal tracks to another and means actuated by said bodily-movable section for moving said swinging sections.

20. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination of a horizontally-arranged trolleytrack, the swinging track-section associated therewith and the closing devices for the stationary track arranged adjacent to the aXis of rotation of the swinging section and arranged to be operated by the movement of said section.

21. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination of the trolley-track, the closing devices therefor, the movable track-section arranged to be alined with said stationary section, and means interposed between the said closing devices and the movable section for actuating the closing devices.

22. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination of a stationary frame, a stationary trolley-track supported thereon, a verticallymovable track-section adapted to be brought into alinementwith the aforesaid track-section, a movable track section between the aforesaid track-sections and adapted to join them together, a gravity device normally holding the intermediate section in inoperative position, and means actuated by the vertically-movable section for overcoming the effect of said gravity-acting device and causing the said intermediate section to be moved into operative position, as the said vertically-movable section comes into alinement with the stal tionary track.

23. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination with a main track section and a branch-track section adapted to be connected thereto, of the intermediate switch-section having a frame provided with short stationary track-sections arranged in alinement with the branch track sections respectively, and a swinging track-section arranged to connect the main track section with either of said short track-sections.

24:. The combination of the stationary frame structure, the overhead-trolley track supported thereon, the lock or stop for preventing the escape of trolleys from said track, the bodilymovable trolley-track section adapted to be alined with the stationary track-section, and the stop or lock for preventing the escape of trolleys from the bodily-movable track-section, substantially as set forth.

25. The combination of the stationary frame, the overhead-trolley section supported thereon, the lock or stop for preventing the escape of trolleys from the stationary track-section, the trolley-track section bodily movable vertically, the lock or stop for preventing the escape of trolleys from the movable trolleytrack section and the automatically-acting devices for opening the lock or stop for the stationary track-section.

26. rIhe combination of the stationary frame, the overhead-trolley section supported thereon, the lock or stop for preventing the escape of trolleys from the stationary track-section, the trolley-track section bodily movable vertically, the lock or stop for preventing the escape of trolleys from the movable trolley-track section and the automatically-acting devices for opening the lock or stop for the movable track-section, substantially as set forth.

27. In an overhead-trolley system, the combination of a main stationary trolley-track section, two vertically-movable trolley-track sections adapted to aline with the stationary section, and means for causing both the vertically-movable track-sections to move simultaneously toward and from the line of operation.

28. The combination of the stationary frame, the vertically-movable track-section support,- ed thereon, the trolley-track section vertically movable bodily,the vertically-moving support IOO IOS

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therefor, and means for causing both the vertically-movable track-sections to move simultaneously toward and from the line of operation, Substantially as set forth.

29. In an overhead-trolley system, a series of track-sections adapted to be brought into operative alinement for the travel of trolleys, two of the 'said sections being movable to and out of a common line of operation, and means interposed between the said two movable sections for causing them to move simultaneously, substantially as set forth.

30. The combination of the main trolleytrack, a track-section movable into and out of alinement therewith, means for automatically moving it out of alinement, a second movable track-section movable into and out of alinement with the first said movable section, and means interposed between the two movable track-sections for causing both the verticallymovable track-sections to move simultaneously toward and from the line of operation, substantially as set forth.

31. The combination of the track-section A, the track-section D adjustable in relation to section A, means for sustaining the section D out of alinement with the section A and means for adjustably supporting the section A, substantially as set forth.

32. The combination of the trolley-track section A, the track-section D movable into.

and out of alinement with the section A, the counterweight connected to the said section D, means for counteracting the weight and permitting the section D to move relative to the section A, substantially as set forth.

33. The combination of the trolley-track section A, the track-section D movable into and out of alinement with thesection A, the track-section E movable into and out of alinement with the section D, the counterweight connected to the track-section D and means for counteracting the counterweight when the section E is in motion, substantially as set forth. v

In testimony whereof l affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM N. SPRINGER.

Witnesses:

LEE W. HAZARD, R. S. VVHITAKER. 

